Retired Americans to Wall Street: Fix Retirement Security, Don't Risk It

For Immediate Release: September 17, 2008
Contact: Sarah Massey 202 445 1169 or sarah@massey-media.com
     
Retired Americans to Wall Street: Fix Retirement Security, Don't Risk It
Alliance for Retired American’s Retiree Roadrunner Speeds to Dayton

(Dayton, OH) – The future of Social Security was the hot topic today with retirees who met up with the Alliance for Retired Americans’ (Alliance) Retiree Roadrunner van in downtown Dayton.  Wall Street’s economic shake up scares seniors who fear that Social Security could be put in the hands of brokers.  “This week has offered more proof than ever that we don't want to privatize Social Security and gamble it on the stock market,” said Keith Bailey, a retired manufacturing worker from Dayton.  Hundreds of union retirees met up with the Retiree Roadrunner van and Alliance members to learn more about the future of the economy and Social Security.

Wrapped in red, white and blue roadrunner graphics, eight-passenger Retiree Roadrunner vans are driving across the nation to discuss the election and voting with America’s seniors.  They will be traveling along routes in key states, filled with educational materials including state voter guides; candidate side-by-side comparisons; and information on senior issues such as Social Security, Medicare, voter rights and the stimulus rebate.  The Roadrunner will be visiting retiree town hall meetings, pancake breakfasts, and other outreach events across America so that retirees get the facts about the economy and this election.  Stops are currently scheduled for Arizona, Colorado, Connecticut, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Maine, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Mexico, New York, Ohio, and Pennsylvania. 

Retiree Roadrunner Doug Hart said that economic issues are most important to him this election season. Hart worries about the proposals to privatize Social Security. “It’s hard enough to just meet the basics on a fixed income, but so many of us rely on that check every month. If we privatize Social Security, the people who are just getting by, won’t be able to survive," said Hart. “We can do better in America.”

To see a schedule of events and view videos of Retiree Roadrunners, visit: retireeroadrunners.org